High yield refuse separation system

ABSTRACT

Means are provided for assisting separation of the lightweight material from the heavier weight material of refuse material in a system wherein the refuse material is delivered into the upper portion of a vertical separating chamber to drop down past a spreader and through a venturi throat between the spreader and the wall defining the chamber. The separation assisting means takes numerous forms, i.e., bypass passage means through the spreader member, a steadying device for the spreader member suspending rod, a bounce-deflection device below the chamber outlet and above a heavy material receiver, air streams from within a hollow rod passage through a declumper, flushing air streams from the upper conical deflecting surface of the spreader member, a deflector venturi ring device within the chamber below the spreader member, and supplementary high velocity flushing air streams directed through the descending material from the walls of the chamber below the spreader member.

United States Patent [191 MacKenzie et al.

[ Sept. 9, 1975 HIGH YIELD REFUSE SEPARATION SYSTEM [75] Inventors:Harold B. MacKenzie, Wheaton, 111.;

Ingvar G. Anderson, Dunedin; William T. S. Montgomery, Jr.,Jacksonville, both of Fla.

[73] Assignee: New Life Foundation, Wheaton, 111.

[22] Filed: May 1, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 465,765

[52] US. Cl. 209/3; 209/138; 209/150 [51] Int. Cl. B07B 4/02 [58] Fieldof Search 209/3, 115, 121, 138, 139,

Primary ExaminerAllen N. Knowles Attorney, Agent, or Firm1-1il1, Gross,Simpson, Van Santen, Steadman, Chiara & Simpson 57 I ABSTRACT Means areprovided for assisting separation of the lightweight material from theheavier weight material of refuse material in a system wherein therefuse material is delivered into the upper portion of a verticalseparating chamber to drop down past a spreader and through a venturithroat between the spreader and the wall defining the chamber. Theseparation assisting means takes numerous forms, i.e., bypass passagemeans through the spreader member, a steadying device for the spreadermember suspending rod, a bounce-deflection device below the chamberoutlet and above a heavy material receiver, air streams from within ahollow rod passage through a declumper, flushing air streams from theupper conical deflecting surface of the spreader member, a deflectorventuri ring device within the chamber below the spreader member, andsupplementary high velocity flushing air streams directed through thedescending material from the walls of the chamber below the spreadermember.

HIGH YIELD REFUSE SEPARATION SYSTEM This invention relates to a highyield refuse separation system, and is more particularly concerned witha pneumatic refuse material separation system for sepa ratinglightweight material from heavier weight material.

Refuse materials, such as municipal garbage and trash, which aregenerally collected without discrimination, present problems of morethan ordinary difficulty to effect efficient separation thereof forrecovery of reusable lighter weight material from heavier weightmaterial. For example, paper is an economically worthwhile salvageableproduct and a large percentage of municipal waste consists of paper.Where combustible materials are useful as a fuel source, it is desirableto separate as much as possible of lightweight material from municipalrefuse including not only paper but also plastics, leaves and othercombustible material all generally of lighter weight than relativelyincombustible materials such as metal, glass and stones.

Feasibility of municipal refuse separation depends heavily upon theeconomics of the cost of separation versus the value of recoverablematerial. At the heart of the problem is the separation of thelighweight materials from the heavier weight materials. The volume ofmunicipal refuse requiring processing, the character of the refuse whichmay vary greatly at different seasons of the year and in differentcommunities within a municipality, the market value of recoverablematerial, and other considerations are important factors that must beconsidered. Whatever the factors present at any given time or place alarge volume of refuse must be separated efficiently into lightweightand heavier weight material categories. Prior systems have not been asproductive in proportion to equipment costs and expenditures of energytoward separation and recovery of material as desired.

An important object of the present invention is to overcome priordisadvantages, deficiencies, inefficiencies, shortcomings and problemsand to attain important advantages and improvements in a high yieldrefuse separation system according to the present invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved method ofand means for assisting separation of lightweight material from heavierweight material in treating refuse and more especially municipal refuse.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved highyield pneumatic refuse separation system.

Still another object of the invention is to provide new and improvedmeans in a gravity drop and countercurrent pneumatic separation systemfor improving the separation and recovery of lightweight material fromheavier weight material.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readilyapparent from the following description of certain preferred embodimentsthereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings althoughvariations and modifications may be effected without departing from thespirit and scope of the novel concepts embodied in the disclosure, andin which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional detail view through apparatus embodyingfeatures of a pneumatic refuse material separation system according tothe present invention including separation assisting means;

FIG. 2 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along the line Illlof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along the lineIII-Ill of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail view takensubstantially along the line IV-IV of FIG. I;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional elevational view showinganother separation assisting means;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional detail view showing apneumatic separation assisting means;

FIG. 7 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along the lineVIIVII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional elevational view showing amodified pneumatic separation assisting means;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing combinedmechanical and pneumatic separation assisting means;

FIG. 10 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along the line X-Xof FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional elevational detail view showing amodification of the mechanical separation assisting means;

. FIG. 12 is a similar fragmentary vertical sectional elevational detailview showing a further mechanical separation assisting means; and

FIG. 13 isa sectional plan view taken substantially along the lineXIII-XIII of FIG. 12.

In a pneumatic refuse material separation system for separatinglightweight material from heavier weight material, as depicted in FIG.1, loose refuse material 5 such as municipal trash, which may includegarbage, is delivered as by means of an endless conveyor 7 into theupper end of a vertical, cylindrical tubular inlet 8 which is desirablyprovided with an upwardly flaring tunnellike mouth head structure 9. Thematerial to be separated and which is thus received through the upperend of the inlet 8 is guided therein to drop downwardly, as shown bydirectional arrows, to discharge from the lower end of the inlet whichcomprises a discharge opening 10 directed freely downwardly. From thedischarge opening 10, the material to be separated drops into a verticalseparation chamber 11 defined by an elongated columnar or tower-likecasing provided by an elongated tubular wall 12 of substantial diameterwhich is unconstricted throughout its length to a free outlet opening 13at its lower end. It will be observed that the inlet 8 is ofsubstantially smaller diameter than the chamber 11 within the wall 12and extends concentrically downwardly to a limited extent through andbelow a top closure 14. It will be observed that the inlet 8 is ofsubstantially smaller diameter than the chamber 11 within the wall 12and extends to only a limited extent downwardly within the upper portionof the chamber 11. In a practical arrangement the chamber 11 may be onthe order of eight feet in a diameter and 20 feet in length in a unitcapable of handling on the order of tons per hour of refuse to beseparated.

For breaking up descending clumped masses of the material to beseparated, declumping means 15, hereinafter referred to as a declumper,may be provided adjacently below the discharge opening 10. As thematerial drops down on the declumper 15 larger masses or clumps ofadherent material are broken up by radially extending vanes 17 ofpreferably triangular shape in elevation projecting radially from anddisposed in orderly spaced relation concentrically about a supportingrod 18 of as small diameter as practicable, depending from supportingmeans 19 such as a ceiling above the receiving head 9 and extending downconcentrically through the inlet 8 and to a suitable extent below theopening 10. Each of the vanes 17 is secured fixedly to the rod 18 at anelongated hypotenuse and projects to a maxi mum diameter about one-halfthat of the inlet diameter.

Adjacently below the declumper the supporting rod 18 carries thereon aventuri spreader member 20 of generally double cone shape mountedconcentrically on and about the rod at a substantial distance above theoutlet opening 13. An upper downwardly and outwardly sloping conicalsurface 21 of the spreader 20 meets convergently at a perimeter 22 alower conical surface 23 which is desirably of greater length and thus asharper angle to the axis of the supporting rod 18. Where the cone angleof the surface 21 may be about 45, the cone angle of the surface 23 ispreferably about 60. The diameter of the perimeter 22 is preferablyabout the same as the diameter of the inlet 8 and thus smaller than thediameter of thesurrounding wall 12 whereby to define therewith anannular venturi throat 24.

Within the chamber 11, the descending material is subjected to pneumaticseparation by forcing air upwardly through the descending material.Separating air flow is effected by means such as a blower or exhaust fan25 connected with an exhaust duct 27 leading from an exhaust throat 28communicating by means of an exit or exhaust opening 29 immediatelybelow the top closure 14 and thus at a substantial height height abovethe lower discharge opening 10 from the i let 8. Thereby, materialdescending from the inlet 8 into the chamber 11 is subjected to highvelocity and large volume of separating air which enters through theoutlet opening 13 and moves up through the descending materialthroughthe venturi throat 24 where the velocity of the air is substantiallyincreased with an advantageous pressure drop above the throat for largevolume air lifting and tumbling of the descending material forseparation of the lighter constituents which are then sucked up thereduced-cross section chimney area between the inlet 8 and the wall 12.Downward movement of the material to be separated, and countermovementof the air and lifting of the lighter materials is graphically shown bymeans of directional arrows. The heavier weight materials separated fromthe lighter weight materials discharge from the outlet opening 13 andare collected as shown at 30 on a suitable conveyor 31 fortransportation to a further separating apparatus or to a disposal point.

Although only one of the separating units has been shown in FIG. 1, itwill be understood that there may be as many of such units as necessaryto handle any given volume of refuse. There may be a battery of theseparators in series for multiple raw product separa tion. Raw productssuch as paper, glass and metals may be segregated and collected, landfill refuse may. be packed into transporting and dumping apparatus, andsuch refuse or trash as cannot be reused or recycled may be burned in anincinerator or furnace which may provide heat for drying valuable rawproducts such as paper or for other industrial purposes. In someinstallations, it may be desired merely to separate combustible andtherefore generally lightweight material from heavier and generallynoncombustible material, thereby providing fuel and land fill fractionsof the ma terial.

In order to attain maximum efficiency in operation of the apparatus,means are provided for assisting separation of the lightweight materialfrom the heavier weight material.

For example, some lightweight material may escape with the heaviermaterial through the venturi throat 24 into the area of the chamber 11below the throat and even below the outlet opening 13 where inrushingair will subject the material to further flushing action and separate atleast most of the remaining lightweight material from the heaviermaterial. However, due to the rush of material down through the venturi2 the lightweight material entrained in the air below the spreader 20may find it difficult to rise up through the venturi throat. To thisend, the lightweight material flushed from the heavier weight materialbelow the spreader 20 is assisted in separation by conducting it upthrough the spreader into the area of the chamber 11 thereabove whereenhanced upward suction flow of the lightweight material is in effect.For this purpose, the spreader 20 is desirably provided with a pluralityof vertical bypass passages 32 (FIGS. 1 and 2) desirably four in numberby which, as shown by directional arrows, the lightweight material canescape upwardly from below the spreader 20 into the chamber area abovethe spreader. Each of the passages 32 has its entry opening through thelower conical surface 23 and its exit opening through the upper conicalsurface 21 so that there is an upward draft from the area under thespreader 20 avoiding stagnation and trapping of light fraction material, but permitting it to escape into the area above the spreader. Thetotal cross sectional area of the bypass passages 32 is much less thanthe flow area of the venturi throat 24 so that only a small volume ofair is diverted from the venturi throat. As the air and entrainedlightweight material issue upwardly. from the passages 32 such air has afurther flushing effect on material that is flushed upwardly by the airrushing through the throat 24. In order to avoid descending heavymaterial from interfering with the flushing action of the bypasspassages '32, the declumper 15 is desirably constructed to provideshielding or deflecting means thereabove. Therefore the passages 32 aredesirably spaced apart and of a size to open up under the declumper 15between alternate pairs of the vanes 17 and such pairs of vanes areprovided with intervening closure plate sur faces 33 along theirdownwardly sloping edges and intervening downwardly and inwardly slopingair deflector plate surfaces 34 closing off the spaces between suchpairs of vanes, while the spaces between the alternate pairs of vanesare left unobstructed for dropping of material downwardly toward thespreader surfaces 21 and upward movement of material separating andflushing air toward the discharge opening 10 of the inlet 8 to effectpreliminary separation of lightweight material from heavier weightmaterial.

Another means for assisting separation of. the lightweight material fromthe heavier weight material comprises a steadying device 35 for therelatively small diameter and thus possibly flexible rod 18 havingregard to its length and the weight of the declumper 15 and the spreader20 suspended thereby and the possibility of the high velocity air movingup through the descending material about the spreader 20 causing atransverse vibratory movement interfering with efficientair streammaterial separation in the venturi throat 24. For this purpose thedevice 35 comprises a straightsteady' bar 37 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) which isof as small a diameter as practicable and is secured centrally thereofas by means of a bolt 38 to the lower end of the rod 18 which for thispurpose extends a limited distance below the spreader 20. At itsopposite ends the steady bar 37 at least closely approaches'the wall 12and may be attached thereto as by means of bolts 39, although if pre-'ferred support by the rod 18 may suffice and engagement of the oppositeends of the bar 37 with the wall 12 may suffice to hold thebar. in asteadying position.

Thereby transverse vibratory or swinging movements of the rod 18 and thespreader 20 supported thereby are precluded at least to the extent ofmaintaining constant substantially uniform functional dimension of theventuri throat 24 and thus uniform air flushingaction in the largevolume of descending refuse material. By having the steady bar 37located substantially above the outlet opening 13, interference withinrushing flushing air is avoided.

Any tendency for material to collect on the upper side of the steady bar37 is obviated by either mounting the bar to rotate or in a more simplefashion, as shown, having the bar of cylindrical form and encased inrotary sleeve means comprising, in this instance, a pair of sleeves 40which extend between the lower endof the rod 18 and the wall 12 at eachside of the rod. At their ends nearestthe rod 18, the sleeves 40 areprotectively received in a shielding fixture 41. Attheir respective endsnearest the wall 12, the rotary sleeves 40 are received in shields 42and are provided with suitable driving means such as respective pulleys43 over which are trained flexible driving means such as belts 44running over drive pulleys 45 on drive shafts 47 of differential geardevices 48 driven by suitable motors 49 whereby the sleeves 40 aresolely rotated in operation of the system so that material which mighttend to gather on the upper sides of the bar 37 is continually dumpedoff by rotation of the sleeves 40 and the lower sides of the sleevesconstantly swept by the flushing air. Since municipal refuse may havestringy material including plasi tic that may tend to wrap around thesleeves 40, it may be desirably from time to time to dislodge suchwrapped-on stringy material and, to facilitate this, each of the sleeves40 may be provided with a longitudinal outer perimeter groove 50 alongwhich a cutting instrument such as a knife may be run to sever and thusassist in dislodging of any wrapped-on material.

Additional or optional means for assisting separation of the lightweightmaterial from the heavier weight material are depicted in FIG. 5 whereina bouncedeflection device 51 is provided between the outl et end of thechamber wall 12 and the conveyor 31 The descending heavier material maytend to stratify tubularly to some extent along the inside of the wall12 after leaving the venturi throat 24 and thus avoid as thorough finalflushing action of the countercurrent air and laterally incoming air asmight be desired. Accordingly, the device 51 comprises a funnel-likemember 52 having its upper end of substantially greater diameter thanthe lower end of the wall 12 and its lower'end of smaller diameter andwith the member supported on a frame 53. By having the member 52centered a limited distance below the lower end of the wall 12, asubstantial sweep of air sucked into the separating chamber can move inover the member 52 as shown by directional arrows. Additional air canmove in through the lower end opening in the member 52 which is spacedsubstantially above the heavy material receiving conveyor 31 andrespective side deflectors 54 carried by the frame 53 and associatedwith the sides of the conveyor below the member 52. As the rush ofdescending material, which may be unduly concentrated or tubularlystratified on leaving the outlet from the wall 12, strikes the member52', the material is deflected toward the center, causing it to collideand agitateover the central drop-out opening in the bottom of the member52 so that air sweepin g inwardly and upwardly therethrough will finallyflush any remaining lightweight material therefrom. To improve agitationof the material as it strikes the member 52, 'its impact surface isprovided with elastomeric qualities as by means of a covering or coatingof elastomeric material 55. For example, where the body of the member 52comprises a steel funnel, the material 55 may be heavy-weight rubberbelting or conveyor material which will withstand rough usage and whichmay be easily replaced when worn out. Of course, the entire member 52may, if preferred be made from a resilient, elastic material, butformaximum bounce of the heavy refuse materials striking the surface 55,substantial rigidity in the member 52 and resilient, elastic impactsurface is a desirable construction. The arrangement shown in full lineis a generally median bounce angle. For greater bounce a shallower angleas exemplified in the upper dash position may be selected, and for lessbounce a steeper angular slope of the member 52 as exemplified in thelower dash position may be adapted. The prevailing character of therefuse material being processed should govern the particular slope angleof the member 52 that may be selected.

Additional or optional means for assisting separation of the lightweightmaterial from the heavier weight material, as depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7comprise having the suspension rod 18' which supports the vanes 17 ofthe declumper l5 and which supports the spreader 20, formed as a tubeproviding a substantial passage 57 therethrough for air derived from anysuitable source such as a blower (not shown). Such air under substantialpressure and provided in substantial volume is employed to improve theflushing of lightweight material from the descending stream of refusematerial passing the declumper l5, by directing the air to issue fromports 58 opening through the wall of the tubular rod 18" betweenthe'declumper vanes 17. There may be as many of the ports 58 openingbetween the respective pairsof vanes '17 as desired, two verticallyspaced such ports being shown by -way of example.

The remaining air from the tubular rod 18 is utilized to improveflushing lightweight material at and above the deflecting surface 21 ofthe spreader 20. For this purpose-the lower end of the rod 18' extendsdown within the upper portion of the spreader 20 and is secured to ahorizontal partition 59 which desirably joins the cone surface portions21 and 23 at the convergence perimeter 22. This not only substantiallyreinforces the spreader 20' and provides an exceptionally solidanchorage thereof to the rod 18, but defines in the upper portion of thespreader 20' an air chamber 60. Air issues from the passage 57 throughlarge vertically elongated openings 61 in that portion of the rod 18which is within the chamber 60. From within the chamber 60 the airissues in flushing streams through a set of ports 62 in the cone surface21 In a preferred arrangement at least one and preferably a plurality ofthe ports 62 are located to issue streams of flushing air generallyupwardly between the declumper vanes l7,'

as best seen in FIG. 7. Through this arrangement, not only is improvedflushing of lightweight material attained, but by virtue of the largerdiameter and thus sturdier nature of the supporting rod 18, greaterresistance to lateral vibratory deflection of the spreader is attainedso that transverse bracing thereof can be avoided.

In the modification shown in FIG. 8, much the same structure as in FIGS.6 and 7 is shown and common reference numerals depict identicalelements. In this arrangement, in order to attain more direct upwardflushing air streams from within the spreader 20, the lower end of thetubular rod 18' is in communication with ducts 63 whichhave verticallyupwardly extending nozzle portions 64 from which air streams aredirected substantially straight upwardly between the declumper vanes17'.

On reference to FIGS. 9' and 10, means for assisting separation of thelightweight material from the heavier weight material comprise anannular deflector 65 secured to the inner side of the wall 12 which forthis purpose has a substantial downwardly extending portiori 12a betweenthe lower end of the spreader 20 and the outlet opening 13'. As shown,the deflector 65 is located a substantial distance below the lower endof the spreader 20 and deflects the descending material from adjacentthe wall 12 toward the center of the passage within the chamber 11' formore efficient flushing by the inwardly and upwardly rushing flushingair. For convenience in optionally mounting the deflector ring 65 withinthewall 12, the ring comprises cooperative matching segments 67 ofgenerally triangular vertical cross section having their hypotenuseportions secured as by means of bolts 68 to the wall 12"to complete thedeflector ring. On its upper side, the deflector ring 65 provides adownwardly and inwardly extending deflector surface 69 and, on itsunderside, the ring provides an upwardly and inwardly extending airdeflecting surface 70. The surfaces 69 and 70 join at a venturi throatconvergence 71. As the material drops down on the funnel surface 69 andis deflected toward the center of the passage, the upwardly rushing airstream is accelerated and effects thorough separation of lightweightmaterial from the heavier material which drops on down through theventuri throat.

The means for assisting separation of lightwight material from theheavier material may comprise flushing air streams directed into thechamber 1 1 from ports 72 provided in the wall portion 12a substantiallybelow the spreader 20 and below the ring 65 where it is used. The ports72 are located at a plurality, such as three circumferentiallyequidistantly spaced locations to direct the streams therefrom inwardlyand upwardly to converge at the center of the descending stream ofmaterial so as to effect maximum agitation and flushing of the.material. Large volume air under substantial pressure is suppliedthrough the ports 72 by suitable ducts 73 from an air source such as ablower 74. Through this arrangement, the descending material issubjected to thorough additional flushing action after it leaves theventuri throat 24. The air streams from the ports 72 effect an injectoraction assisting flushing air intake flow through the opening 13.

In FIG. 11 a deflector and venturi ring is shown which is especiallyuseful where over a period of time the apparatus may have to processrefuse material of widely varying character such as predominantlylightweight material at certain times and predominantly heavy weightmaterial at other times, dry material at times and wet material at othertimes, etc. Under such conditions it may be desirable to effect rapidchanges wherein at times the deflector ring 65' may not be needed at allor the venturi effect need not be as strong. For this purpose, the ring65"comprises a set of matching plates 75 which are connected by suitablehinge means 77 to the wall 12' along the upper side of an annular recessor storage protrusion 78 projecting outwardly annularly on the wallportion 12a. For movably adjusting the. plates 75 between the fullyextended posi-.

tion as shown in full outline and a retracted, nonoperating position asshown in dash outline, means comprising respective adjustment rods 79are connected with slotted couplings 80 at their inner ends to the backsof the plates 75 and extend outwardly through the wall defining therecess protrusion 78 and are adapted to be secured in any preferredreciprocal position by securing means 81 accessible at the outer side ofthe protrusion 78. V

In FIGS. 12 and 13 another arrangement is depicted comprising a venturideflector ring 65 which is adjustable between a full ring position asshown in full outline and a retracted non-operating position as shown indash outline. For this'purpose, the ring 65" is constructed in the formof a segmental matching complementary set of hollow shell members 82which are provided with upper funnel surface portions 83 and lowerupward and inward air deflecting surface portions 84,.

with outwardly projecting mounting flanges 85 extending from theportions 83 and lower outwardly extend-.

ing mounting flanges 87 from the portions 84. The flanges 85 and 87 arein sliding engagement with respectively an upper wall flange portion 88and a lower wall flange portion 89 of an. annular inwardly openingchannel shaped protrusion 90 inthe wall 12a and ofa depth sufficient toreceive the segmental members 82 fully in the non-operating position asshown in dash outline. In order to effect radial adjustment of themembers 82, the flanges 85 and 87 are provided with means comprisingfixed bolts 91 which project outwardly through respective clearanceslots 92 in the flange walls 88 and 89 and extending radially so thatthe members 82 can be adjusted between the extreme fully operating andthe extreme non-operating positions and fixed by means of nuts 93.

It will be understood that variations and modifications maybe effectedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the novelconcepts of thisinvention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a pneumatic refuse material separation system for separatinglightweight material from heavier weight material:

means providing a vertical separation chamber defined by an elongatedtubular wall of substantial diameter which is unconstricted throughoutits length to a free outlet opening at its lower end;

a tubular inlet through which material to be separated is. received andwhich is of smaller diameter than the chamber and extends to a limitedextent downwardly within the upper portion of the chamber, with adischarge end of the inlet opening freely downwardly within the chamber;means for supplying material to be separated into said inlet to droptherefrom through said discharge end to descend through the chambertoward said outlet opening; supporting rod suspended at its upper endabove the point at which said means supplying material introduces thematerial into said inlet, said rod extending concentrically downwardlythrough the inlet with the lower end of the rod projecting substantiallybelow the discharge end of the inlet;

a spreader member suspended from the lower end of said rod a substantialdistance below and concentric with the discharge end of said inlet and asubstantial distance above said outlet opening and being ofsubstantially the same diameter as said discharge end of the inlet andof smaller diameter than said wall and having convergently relatedconical upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface providing a spreadersurface and the lower surface providing an air deflecting surface;

said surfaces meeting in annularly spaced relation to said wall anddefining an annular venturi throat with said wall;

said chamber providing an air flow passage upwardly through the chamberfrom said outlet opening to the top of the chamber;

means for effecting material-separating air flow upwardly through saidoutlet opening and said chamber passage and past said spreader member,through the venturi throat and then past said inlet and out from the topof the chamber, to separate the lightweight material from the heavierweight material;

means for receiving heavier weight material which drops from said outletopening;

and means for assisting separation of the lightweight material from theheavier weight material including a steadying device connected to alower end extension of said supporting rod which projects below saidspreader member and comprising a transverse rod provided with a rotaryperipheral surface and means for effecting rotation thereof.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said means for assistingseparation comprise a bounce-deflection device located under said outletopening and above said receiving means.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral surface isprovided with a longitudinal groove to assist in guiding a knife forseparating material that may become wound onto the surface.

4. In a pneumatic refuse material separation system for separatinglightweight material from heavier weight material:

means providing a vertical separation chamber defined by an elongatedtubular wall of substantial diameter extending to a free outlet openingat its lower end;

a tubular inlet through which material to be separated is received andwhich is of smaller diameter than the chamber and extends to a limitedextent downwardly within the upper portion of the chamber, with adischarge end of the inlet opening freely downwardly within the chamber;

means for supplying material to be separated into said inlet to droptherefrom through said discharge end to descend through the chambertoward said outlet opening;

spreader member mounted a substantial distance below and concentric withthe discharge end of 5 said inlet and a substantial distance above saidoutlet opening and being of smaller diameter than said wall and havingconvergently related conical upper and lower surfaces, the upper surfaceproviding a spreader surface and the lower surface providing an airdeflecting surface;

said surfaces meeting in annularly spaced relation to said wall anddefining an annular venturi throat with said wall;

said chamber providing an air flow passage upwardly through the chamberfrom said outlet opening to the top of the chamber;

means for effecting material-separating air flow upwardly through saidoutlet opening and said chamber passage and past said spreader member,through the venturi throat and then past said inlet and out from the topof the chamber, to separate the lightweight material from the heavierweight material;

means for receiving heavier weight material which drops from said outletopening;

and means for assisting separation of the lightweight material from theheavier weight material comprising a plurality of tubular bypasspassages extending upwardly through said spreader member and havingentry openings through said conical lower surface and exit openings fromsaid upper conical surface, the total cross-sectional area of saidbypass passages being less than the flow area of said venturi throat andpermitting lightweight material to escape upwardly from the area underthe spreader which might otherwise cause stagnation thereof due to therush of heavier material cascading through said venturi throat.

5. A system according to claim 4, including deflection means above saidexit openings of the bypass passages and below said inlet to avoiddescending heavy material from interfering with flushing action of saidbypass passages.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein said deflection means comprisea declumper having a plurality of vane elements provided with deflectingsurfaces overlying said exit openings in substantially spaced relationabove said spreader.

7. In a pneumatic refuse material separation system for separatinglightweight material from heavier weight material:

means providing a vertical separation chamber defined by an elongatedtubular wall of substantial diameter which is unconstricted throughoutits length to a free outlet opening at its lower end;

a tubular inlet through which material to be separated is received andwhich is of smaller diameter than the chamber and extends to a limitedextent downwardly within the upper portion of the chamber, with adischarge end of the inlet opening freely downwardly within the chamber;

means for supplying material to be separated into said inlet to droptherefrom through said discharge end to descend through the chambertoward said outlet opening;

a Supporting rod suspended at its upper end above the point at whichsaid means supplying material introduces the material into said inlet,said rod extending concentrically downwardly through the inlet with thelower end of the rod projecting substantially below the discharge end ofthe inlet;

a spreader member suspended from the lower end of said rod a substantialdistance below and concentric with the discharge end of said inlet and asubstantial distance above said outlet opening and being ofsubstantially the same diameter as said discharge end of the inlet andof smaller diameter than said wall and having convergently related conical upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface providing a spreadersurface and the lower surface providing an air deflecting surface;

said surfaces meeting in annularly spaced relation to said wall anddefining an annular venturi throat with said wall;

said chamber providing an air flow passage upwardly through the chamberfrom said outlet opening to the top of the chamber;

means for effecting material-separating air flow upwardly through saidoutlet opening and said cham ber passage and past said spreader member,through the venturi throat and then past said inlet and out from the topof the chamber, to separate the lightweight material from the heavierweight material;

means for receiving heavier weight material which drops from said outletopening;

and means for assisting separation of the lightweight material from theheavier weight material comprising said rod being of hollow tubularconstruction to provide a passage for flushing air under pressure, therebeing air ports in said upper conical surface of the spreader member andpassage means for air from the interior of the tubular rod to said portsto issue as flushing streams from the interior of the spreader memberoutwardly from the upper conical surface to promote flushing of finematerial in the area of the chamber above said venturi passage.

8. A system according to claim 7, including a declumper comprisingradially extending vertical circumferentially spaced vanes carried bythe rod below said outlet opening and above said spreader member, andports opening from said rod to issue air streams therefrom between saidvanes.

9. In a pneumatic refuse material separation system for separatinglightweight material from heavier weight material:

means providing a vertical separation chamber defined by an elongatedtubular wall of substantial diameter which is unconstricted throughoutits length to a free outlet opening at its lower end;

a tubular inlet through which material to be separated is received andwhich is of smaller diameter than the chamber and extends to a limitedextend downwardly Within the upper portion of the chamber, with adischarge end of the inlet opening freely downwardly within the chamber;

means for supplying material to be separated into said inlet to droptherefrom through said discharge end to descend through the chambertoward said outlet opening;

a supporting rod suspended at its upper end above the point at whichsaid means supplying material introduces the material into said inlet,said rod extending concentrically downwardly through the inlet with thelower end of the rod projecting substantially below the discharge end ofthe inlet;

a spreader member mounted a substantial distance below and concentricwith the discharge end of said inlet and a substantial distance abovesaid outlet opening and being of substantially the same diameter as saiddischarge end of the inlet and of smaller diameter than said wall andhaving convergently related conical upper and lower surfaces, the uppersurface providing a spreader surface and the lower surface providing anair deflecting surface;

said surfaces meeting in annularly spaced relation to said wall anddefining an annular venturi throat with said wall;

said chamber providing an air flow passage upwardly through the chamberfrom said outlet opening to, the top of the chamber; 7

means for effecting material-separating air flow upwardly through saidoutlet opening and, said chamber passage and past said spreader member,

throughthe venturi throat and then past said inlet and out from the topof the chamber, to separate the lightweight material from the heavierweight material;

means for receiving heavier weight material which drops from said outletopening;

said supporting rod being of hollow tubular structure providing apressure air passage;

a declumper comprising radially extending vertical circumferentiallyspaced vanes carried by the rod below said outlet opening and above saidspreader member;

and ports opening from said rod for issuing air streams therefrombetween said vanes for assisting separation of lightweight fractions ofmaterial from heavier weight fractions of material descending from saidinlet onto, through and past the de' clumper.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said tubular rod communicateswith the interior of the spreader member, said spreader member havingair ports in said upper conical surface, and means for transferringpressure air from the tubular rod through the spreader member and outthrough said ports to issue as flushing streams.

11. In a pneumatic refuse material separation system for separatinglightweight material from heavier weight material:

means providing a vertical separation chamber defined by an elongatedtubular wall of substantial diameter which is unconstricted throughoutits length to a free outlet opening at its lower end;

a tubular inlet through which material to be separatedis received andwhich is of smaller diameter than the chamber and extends to a limitedextent downwardly within the upper portion of the chamber, with adischarge end of the inlet opening freely downwardly within the chamber;

means for supplying material to be separated into said inlet to droptherefrom through said discharge end to descend through the chambertoward said outlet opening;

a supporting rod suspended at its upper end above the point at whichsaid means supplying material introduces the material into said inlet,said rod extending concentrically downwardly through the inlet with thelower end 'of'the rod projecting substantially below the discharge endof the inlet;

a spreader member suspended from the lower end of said rod a substantialdistance below and concentric with the discharge end of said inlet andasubstantial distance above :said outlet opening and being ofsubstantially the s'ai'ne diameter as said discharge end of theinlet'and'of smaller diameter than said wall and having convergentlyrelated conical upper'and lower's urface s, the upper surface providinga spreader surface and the lower surface providing an airde flecfin'g'surface; i

said surfaces meeting a nnularly spaced relation to said wall anddefining anannular venturi throat with said well;

said chamber providirigan'air' flow passage upwardly through the chamberfrom said outlet opening to the top of the chamber; g V V means foreffecting material-separating air flow upwardly through said outletopening and saidcha'mber passage and past said spreader member, throughthe venturi throat and then past said inlet and out from the top of thechamber, to separate the lightweight material from the heavier weightmaterial;

means for receiving heavier weight material which drops from said outletopening;

and means for assisting separation of the lightweight material from theheavier weight material comprising an annular deflector and venturi ringdevice carried by said wall to project concentrically inwardly therefromsubstantially below said spreader member and above said outlet opening.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said de-- vice comprises aplurality of matching segments attached to said wall.

13. A system according to claim 11, wherein said annular deflector andventuri ring device comprises a plurality of cooperating elements, andmeans for deflecting said elements into a nonoperating position.

14. A system according to claim 1 1, wherein said Wall is provided withan annular recess, said device comprising a plurality of cooperatingsegmental elements shiftably adjustably mounted in said recess, andmeans for securing the segments in adjusted position in said recess.

15. A system according to claim 11, including a plurality of flushingair stream ports in said wall below said venturi ring and adapted todirect air streams generally toward the center of the venturi passageprovided by said ring, and means for driving flushing air under pressurethrough said ports.

16. In a pneumatic refuse material separation system for separatinglightweight material from heavier weight material:

means providing a vertical separation chamber defined by an elongatedtubular wall of substantial diameter extending to a free outlet openingat its lower end;

a tubular inlet through which material to be separated is received andwhich is of smaller diameter than the chamber and extends to a limitedextent downwardly within the upper portion of the chamber, with adischarge end of the inlet opening freely downwardly within the chamber;

means for supplying material to be separated into,

said inlet to drop therefrom through said discharge end todescendthrough the chamber toward said outlet openingj i a spreadermember mounted a substantial distance below and concentric with thedischarge end of said inlet and a substantial distance above said outletopening and being of smaller diameter than said wall and havingconvergently related conical upper and lower surfaces,.the upper surfaceproviding a F spreader surface and'the lower surface providing su acerneeting in annularly spaced relation to said wall and defining anannular venturi throat wi a W ll;

said chamber providing'an air flow passage upwardly throughthe charn ber from said outlet opening to theltop of the chamber;

means for effecting material-separating air flow upwardlythrough saidoutlet opening and saidchamber passage; and past said spreader member,through the venturi throat and then past said inlet and out from the topof the chamber, to separate the lightweight material from the heavierweight material;

means for receiving heavier weight material which drops from said outletopening;

and means for assisting separation of the lightweight material from theheavier weight material, including an annular generally funnel-shapedbouncedeflection device of larger outside diameter than said outletopening and spaced below said outlet opening and spaced above andconverging toward said receiving means, said device having a resilientupper surface;

whereby material dropping from said outlet opening bounces toward acentral position and air passing up through the device over saidreceiving means acts to flush fine material remaining in the materialupwardly toward said outlet opening into which such air is drawntogether with air drawn into the outlet opening through the spacebetween said device and the outlet opening.

17. In a pneumatic refuse material separation system for separatinglightweight material from heavier weight material:

means providing a vertical separation chamber defined by an elongatedtubular wall of substantial diameter extending to a free outlet openingat its lower end;

a tubular inlet through which material to be separated is received andwhich is of smaller diameter than the chamber and extends to a limitedextent downwardly within the upper portion of the chamber, with adischarge end of the inlet opening freely downwardly within the chamber;

means for supplying material to be separated into said inlet to droptherefrom through said discharge end to descend through the chambertoward said outlet opening;

a spreader member mounted a substantial distance below and concentricwith the discharge end of said inlet and a substantial distance abovesaid outlet opening and being of smaller diameter than said wall andhaving convergently related conical upper and lower surfaces, the uppersurface providing a spreader surface and the lower surface providing anair deflecting surface;

said surfaces meeting in annularly spaced relation to said wall anddefining an annular venturi throat with said wall;

said chamber providing an air flow passage upwardly through the chamberfrom said outlet opening to the top of the chamber;

suction means for effecting material-separating air flow upwardlythrough said outlet opening and said chamber passage and past saidspreader member, through the venturi throat and then past said inlet andout from the top of the chamber, to separate the lightweight materialfrom the heavier weight material;

means for receiving heavier weight material which drops from said outletopening;

means for assisting separation of the lightweight material from theheavier weight material comprising a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced air stream ports in said wall substantially below said spreadermember and oriented to direct air streams generally upwardly andinwardly toward the center of the chamber under said spreader mem berwhereby toiact within the descending stream of material to effectadditional flushing action separating lighter material from heaviermaterial after the material has passed through said venturi throat andalso to effect an injector action to improve flushing air flow upwardlythrough said outlet opening;

and means for drivingair under pressure through said ports.

18. A system according to claim 17, including an annular deflector andventuri ring device carried by said wall to project concentricallyinwardly therefrom substantially below said spreader member and abovesaid outlet opening and above said ports and operative to cause materialcascading from said venturi throat to be deflected toward the center ofthe chamber for flushing by the air streams from said ports as well asflushing air which enters through said discharge opening formaterial-separating flow upwardly through the chamber passage.

1. IN A PNEUMATIC REFUSE MATERIAL SEPERATION SYSTEM FOR SEPERATINGLIGHTWEIGHT MATERIAL FROM HEAVIER WEIGHT MATERIAL: MEANS PROVIDING AVERTICAL SEPERATION CHAMBER DEFINED BY AN ELONGATED TUBULAR WALL OFSUBSTANTIAL DIAMTER WHICH IS UNCONSTRICTED THROUGHOUT ITS LENGTH TO AFREE OUTLET OPENING AT ITS LOWER END, A TUBULAR INLET THROUGH WHICHMATERIAL TO BE SEPERATED IS RECEIVED AND WHICH IS OF SMALLER DIAMETERTHAN THE CHAMBER AND EXTEND TO A LIMIT EXTEND DOWNWARD WITHIN THE UPERPORTION OF THE CHAMBER, WITH A DISCHARGE END OF THE INLET OPENING FREELYONWARDLY WITHIN, THE CHAMBER, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING MATERIAL TO BESEPARATED INTO SAID INLET TO DROP THEREFROM THROUGH SAID DISCHARGE ENDTO DESCEND THROUGH THE CHAMBER TOWARD SAID OUTLET OPENING, A SUPPORTINGROD SUSPENDED AT ITS UPPER END ABOVE THE POINT AT WHICH SAID MEANSSUPPLYING MATERIAL INTRODUCES THE MATERIAL INTO SAID INLET, SAID RODEXTENDING CONCENTRICALLY DOWNWARDLY THROUGH THE INLET WITH THE LOWER ENDOF THE ROD PROJECTING SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THE DISCHARGE END OF THE INLETA SPREADER MEMBER SUSPENDED FROM THE LOWER END OF SAID ROD A SUBSTANTIALDISTANCE BELOW AND CONCENTRIC WITH THE DISCHARGE END OF SAID INLET AND ASUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE ABOVE SAID OUTLET OPENING AND BEING OFSUVBSTANTIALLY THE SAME DIAMETER AS SAID DISCHARGE END OF THE INLET ANDOF SMALLER DIAMETER THAN SAID WALL AND HAVING CONVERGENTLY RELATEDCONCAL UPPER AND LOWER SURFACES, THE UPPER SURFACE PROVIDING A SPREADERSURFACE AND THE LOWER SURFACE PROVIDING AN AIR DEFLECTING SURFACE,
 2. Asystem according to claim 1, wherein said means for assisting separationcomprise a bounce-deflection device located under said outlet openingand above said receiving means.
 3. A system according to claim 1,wherein said peripheral surface is provided with a longitudinal grooveto assist in guiding a knife for separating material that may becomewound onto the surface.
 4. In a pneumatic refuse material separatiOnsystem for separating lightweight material from heavier weight material:means providing a vertical separation chamber defined by an elongatedtubular wall of substantial diameter extending to a free outlet openingat its lower end; a tubular inlet through which material to be separatedis received and which is of smaller diameter than the chamber andextends to a limited extent downwardly within the upper portion of thechamber, with a discharge end of the inlet opening freely downwardlywithin the chamber; means for supplying material to be separated intosaid inlet to drop therefrom through said discharge end to descendthrough the chamber toward said outlet opening; a spreader membermounted a substantial distance below and concentric with the dischargeend of said inlet and a substantial distance above said outlet openingand being of smaller diameter than said wall and having convergentlyrelated conical upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface providing aspreader surface and the lower surface providing an air deflectingsurface; said surfaces meeting in annularly spaced relation to said walland defining an annular venturi throat with said wall; said chamberproviding an air flow passage upwardly through the chamber from saidoutlet opening to the top of the chamber; means for effectingmaterial-separating air flow upwardly through said outlet opening andsaid chamber passage and past said spreader member, through the venturithroat and then past said inlet and out from the top of the chamber, toseparate the lightweight material from the heavier weight material;means for receiving heavier weight material which drops from said outletopening; and means for assisting separation of the lightweight materialfrom the heavier weight material comprising a plurality of tubularbypass passages extending upwardly through said spreader member andhaving entry openings through said conical lower surface and exitopenings from said upper conical surface, the total cross-sectional areaof said bypass passages being less than the flow area of said venturithroat and permitting lightweight material to escape upwardly from thearea under the spreader which might otherwise cause stagnation thereofdue to the rush of heavier material cascading through said venturithroat.
 5. A system according to claim 4, including deflection meansabove said exit openings of the bypass passages and below said inlet toavoid descending heavy material from interfering with flushing action ofsaid bypass passages.
 6. A system according to claim 5, wherein saiddeflection means comprise a declumper having a plurality of vaneelements provided with deflecting surfaces overlying said exit openingsin substantially spaced relation above said spreader.
 7. In a pneumaticrefuse material separation system for separating lightweight materialfrom heavier weight material: means providing a vertical separationchamber defined by an elongated tubular wall of substantial diameterwhich is unconstricted throughout its length to a free outlet opening atits lower end; a tubular inlet through which material to be separated isreceived and which is of smaller diameter than the chamber and extendsto a limited extent downwardly within the upper portion of the chamber,with a discharge end of the inlet opening freely downwardly within thechamber; means for supplying material to be separated into said inlet todrop therefrom through said discharge end to descend through the chambertoward said outlet opening; a supporting rod suspended at its upper endabove the point at which said means supplying material introduces thematerial into said inlet, said rod extending concentrically downwardlythrough the inlet with the lower end of the rod projecting substantiallybelow the discharge end of the inlet; a spreader member suspended fromthe lower end of said rod a substantial distance below and concentricwith the discharge end of said inlet and a substantial distance abovesaid outlet opening and being of substantially the same diameter as saiddischarge end of the inlet and of smaller diameter than said wall andhaving convergently related conical upper and lower surfaces, the uppersurface providing a spreader surface and the lower surface providing anair deflecting surface; said surfaces meeting in annularly spacedrelation to said wall and defining an annular venturi throat with saidwall; said chamber providing an air flow passage upwardly through thechamber from said outlet opening to the top of the chamber; means foreffecting material-separating air flow upwardly through said outletopening and said chamber passage and past said spreader member, throughthe venturi throat and then past said inlet and out from the top of thechamber, to separate the lightweight material from the heavier weightmaterial; means for receiving heavier weight material which drops fromsaid outlet opening; and means for assisting separation of thelightweight material from the heavier weight material comprising saidrod being of hollow tubular construction to provide a passage forflushing air under pressure, there being air ports in said upper conicalsurface of the spreader member and passage means for air from theinterior of the tubular rod to said ports to issue as flushing streamsfrom the interior of the spreader member outwardly from the upperconical surface to promote flushing of fine material in the area of thechamber above said venturi passage.
 8. A system according to claim 7,including a declumper comprising radially extending verticalcircumferentially spaced vanes carried by the rod below said outletopening and above said spreader member, and ports opening from said rodto issue air streams therefrom between said vanes.
 9. In a pneumaticrefuse material separation system for separating lightweight materialfrom heavier weight material: means providing a vertical separationchamber defined by an elongated tubular wall of substantial diameterwhich is unconstricted throughout its length to a free outlet opening atits lower end; a tubular inlet through which material to be separated isreceived and which is of smaller diameter than the chamber and extendsto a limited extend downwardly within the upper portion of the chamber,with a discharge end of the inlet opening freely downwardly within thechamber; means for supplying material to be separated into said inlet todrop therefrom through said discharge end to descend through the chambertoward said outlet opening; a supporting rod suspended at its upper endabove the point at which said means supplying material introduces thematerial into said inlet, said rod extending concentrically downwardlythrough the inlet with the lower end of the rod projecting substantiallybelow the discharge end of the inlet; a spreader member mounted asubstantial distance below and concentric with the discharge end of saidinlet and a substantial distance above said outlet opening and being ofsubstantially the same diameter as said discharge end of the inlet andof smaller diameter than said wall and having convergently relatedconical upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface providing a spreadersurface and the lower surface providing an air deflecting surface; saidsurfaces meeting in annularly spaced relation to said wall and definingan annular venturi throat with said wall; said chamber providing an airflow passage upwardly through the chamber from said outlet opening tothe top of the chamber; means for effecting material-separating air flowupwardly through said outlet opening and said chamber passage and pastsaid spreader member, through the venturi throat and then past saidinlet and out from the top of the chamber, to separate the lightweightmaterial from the heavier weight material; means for receiving heavierweight material which drops from said outlet opening; said supportingrod being of hollow tubular structure providing a pressure air passage;a declumper comprising radially extending vertical circumferentiallyspaced vanes carried by the rod below said outlet opening and above saidspreader member; and ports opening from said rod for issuing air streamstherefrom between said vanes for assisting separation of lightweightfractions of material from heavier weight fractions of materialdescending from said inlet onto, through and past the declumper.
 10. Asystem according to claim 9, wherein said tubular rod communicates withthe interior of the spreader member, said spreader member having airports in said upper conical surface, and means for transferring pressureair from the tubular rod through the spreader member and out throughsaid ports to issue as flushing streams.
 11. In a pneumatic refusematerial separation system for separating lightweight material fromheavier weight material: means providing a vertical separation chamberdefined by an elongated tubular wall of substantial diameter which isunconstricted throughout its length to a free outlet opening at itslower end; a tubular inlet through which material to be separated isreceived and which is of smaller diameter than the chamber and extendsto a limited extent downwardly within the upper portion of the chamber,with a discharge end of the inlet opening freely downwardly within thechamber; means for supplying material to be separated into said inlet todrop therefrom through said discharge end to descend through the chambertoward said outlet opening; a supporting rod suspended at its upper endabove the point at which said means supplying material introduces thematerial into said inlet, said rod extending concentrically downwardlythrough the inlet with the lower end of the rod projecting substantiallybelow the discharge end of the inlet; a spreader member suspended fromthe lower end of said rod a substantial distance below and concentricwith the discharge end of said inlet and a substantial distance abovesaid outlet opening and being of substantially the same diameter as saiddischarge end of the inlet and of smaller diameter than said wall andhaving convergently related conical upper and lower surfaces, the uppersurface providing a spreader surface and the lower surface providing anair deflecting surface; said surfaces meeting in annularly spacedrelation to said wall and defining an annular venturi throat with saidwall; said chamber providing an air flow passage upwardly through thechamber from said outlet opening to the top of the chamber; means foreffecting material-separating air flow upwardly through said outletopening and said chamber passage and past said spreader member, throughthe venturi throat and then past said inlet and out from the top of thechamber, to separate the lightweight material from the heavier weightmaterial; means for receiving heavier weight material which drops fromsaid outlet opening; and means for assisting separation of thelightweight material from the heavier weight material comprising anannular deflector and venturi ring device carried by said wall toproject concentrically inwardly therefrom substantially below saidspreader member and above said outlet opening.
 12. A system according toclaim 11, wherein said device comprises a plurality of matching segmentsattached to said wall.
 13. A system according to claim 11, wherein saidannular deflector and venturi ring device comprises a plurality ofcooperating elements, and means for deflecting said elements into anonoperating position.
 14. A system according to claim 11, wherein saidwall is provided with an annular recess, said device comprising aplurality of cooperating segmental elements shiftably adjustably mountedin said recess, and means for securing the segments in adjusted positionin said recess.
 15. A system according to claim 11, including aplurality of flushing air stream ports in saId wall below said venturiring and adapted to direct air streams generally toward the center ofthe venturi passage provided by said ring, and means for drivingflushing air under pressure through said ports.
 16. In a pneumaticrefuse material separation system for separating lightweight materialfrom heavier weight material: means providing a vertical separationchamber defined by an elongated tubular wall of substantial diameterextending to a free outlet opening at its lower end; a tubular inletthrough which material to be separated is received and which is ofsmaller diameter than the chamber and extends to a limited extentdownwardly within the upper portion of the chamber, with a discharge endof the inlet opening freely downwardly within the chamber; means forsupplying material to be separated into said inlet to drop therefromthrough said discharge end to descend through the chamber toward saidoutlet opening; a spreader member mounted a substantial distance belowand concentric with the discharge end of said inlet and a substantialdistance above said outlet opening and being of smaller diameter thansaid wall and having convergently related conical upper and lowersurfaces, the upper surface providing a spreader surface and the lowersurface providing an air deflecting surface; said surfaces meeting inannularly spaced relation to said wall and defining an annular venturithroat with said wall; said chamber providing an air flow passageupwardly through the chamber from said outlet opening to the top of thechamber; means for effecting material-separating air flow upwardlythrough said outlet opening and said chamber passage and past saidspreader member, through the venturi throat and then past said inlet andout from the top of the chamber, to separate the lightweight materialfrom the heavier weight material; means for receiving heavier weightmaterial which drops from said outlet opening; and means for assistingseparation of the lightweight material from the heavier weight material,including an annular generally funnel-shaped bounce-deflection device oflarger outside diameter than said outlet opening and spaced below saidoutlet opening and spaced above and converging toward said receivingmeans, said device having a resilient upper surface; whereby materialdropping from said outlet opening bounces toward a central position andair passing up through the device over said receiving means acts toflush fine material remaining in the material upwardly toward saidoutlet opening into which such air is drawn together with air drawn intothe outlet opening through the space between said device and the outletopening.
 17. In a pneumatic refuse material separation system forseparating lightweight material from heavier weight material: meansproviding a vertical separation chamber defined by an elongated tubularwall of substantial diameter extending to a free outlet opening at itslower end; a tubular inlet through which material to be separated isreceived and which is of smaller diameter than the chamber and extendsto a limited extent downwardly within the upper portion of the chamber,with a discharge end of the inlet opening freely downwardly within thechamber; means for supplying material to be separated into said inlet todrop therefrom through said discharge end to descend through the chambertoward said outlet opening; a spreader member mounted a substantialdistance below and concentric with the discharge end of said inlet and asubstantial distance above said outlet opening and being of smallerdiameter than said wall and having convergently related conical upperand lower surfaces, the upper surface providing a spreader surface andthe lower surface providing an air deflecting surface; said surfacesmeeting in annularly spaced relation to said wall and defining anannular venturi throat with said wall; said chamber providing an airflow passage upwardly through thE chamber from said outlet opening tothe top of the chamber; suction means for effecting material-separatingair flow upwardly through said outlet opening and said chamber passageand past said spreader member, through the venturi throat and then pastsaid inlet and out from the top of the chamber, to separate thelightweight material from the heavier weight material; means forreceiving heavier weight material which drops from said outlet opening;means for assisting separation of the lightweight material from theheavier weight material comprising a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced air stream ports in said wall substantially below said spreadermember and oriented to direct air streams generally upwardly andinwardly toward the center of the chamber under said spreader memberwhereby to act within the descending stream of material to effectadditional flushing action separating lighter material from heaviermaterial after the material has passed through said venturi throat andalso to effect an injector action to improve flushing air flow upwardlythrough said outlet opening; and means for driving air under pressurethrough said ports.
 18. A system according to claim 17, including anannular deflector and venturi ring device carried by said wall toproject concentrically inwardly therefrom substantially below saidspreader member and above said outlet opening and above said ports andoperative to cause material cascading from said venturi throat to bedeflected toward the center of the chamber for flushing by the airstreams from said ports as well as flushing air which enters throughsaid discharge opening for material-separating flow upwardly through thechamber passage.